DUBAI, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden
has asked his deputy to remind Islamic militants they should
avoid attacks on civilian targets, the group's No. 2 said in a
message posted on the Internet on Thursday.

"There are certain operations attributed, rightly or
falsely, to the mujahideen, in which Muslims are attacked in
their mosques, market places or gatherings ... I and my brothers
in al Qaeda distance ourselves ... from such operations and
condemn them," Ayman al-Zawahri said in an audio recording.

Taliban leader Mullah Omar, bin Laden and other militant
figures have taken similar stands earlier, Zawahri said, but
added that bin Laden wanted this pointed out again.

"Sheikh Osama bin Laden ... assigned me again to reiterate
this matter. Therefore I urge the mujahideen to consider the
rulings of sharia (Islamic law) and the interests of Muslims
before undertaking any jihad operation," he said.

Militants should refrain from indiscriminate attacks on
"Muslim or non-Muslims", Zawahri said, without referring to any
particular attack.
Continued...